Young Dominant Defense in the Making

[izvoodoo]

We still need a dominant OLB for me to be super hyped

[cushrinada1986]

i think if Asa keeps clean, he could be a great #3 this year. Chykie has shown flashes at the role before.

With brown its the consistency right? like you said, he has shown flashes but if he could stay solid with his play he would be a younger version of the CB we let go and Asa could be a scary dime corner with his return skills but still I would have loved to have picked up a corner like Keith McGill or another big athletic DB to pair up with Jimmy and press those WRs so our Dline can do their thing.

[ravensdan]

Hamilton needs to be given a legit shot to not only make this team but also to compete for playing time. concerned about Dumervil and the pass rush in general.

So glad I'm not the only one that sees this. I am very concerned about the pass rush. I don't think Hamilton is much to write home about and no one else behind an aging Suggs and doom is going to provide a big pass rush. I wound love to have brought in marcus smith or Demarcus Lawrence. Now if Brandon Williams or Tim Jernigan can offer some big interior pressure then I am all in. But right now in quite skeptical of that.

Personally I'm far more concerned about the defense than the offense for this year. Steve smith is going to have a renaissance year with flacco. The drafting of a top tier wide out us what we needed for 15-17. Not for this year. I think the lack of o-line depth has been resolved. I am a big believer in Wagner. Ko being 100% all year is a much bigger concern but Gino and John are awesome depth for guard.

[ravensnick]

With brown its the consistency right? like you said, he has shown flashes but if he could stay solid with his play he would be a younger version of the CB we let go and Asa could be a scary dime corner with his return skills but still I would have loved to have picked up a corner like Keith McGill or another big athletic DB to pair up with Jimmy and press those WRs so our Dline can do their thing.

i like Avery Patterson and Sammy Seamster, two guys we picked up in UDFA. they look to be solid backups and make the roster. That's what we need at CB right now. And yes, Chykie's problem is his consistency. I think he could be potential to be one of the better #3's in the league if he can get consistent. Another guy I love on the D side in FA is Xavier Boyd. Look for him to make the roster. 

[Edgar]

So glad I'm not the only one that sees this. I am very concerned about the pass rush. I don't think Hamilton is much to write home about and no one else behind an aging Suggs and doom is going to provide a big pass rush. I wound love to have brought in marcus smith or Demarcus Lawrence. Now if Brandon Williams or Tim Jernigan can offer some big interior pressure then I am all in. But right now in quite skeptical of that.

Personally I'm far more concerned about the defense than the offense for this year. Steve smith is going to have a renaissance year with flacco. The drafting of a top tier wide out us what we needed for 15-17. Not for this year. I think the lack of o-line depth has been resolved. I am a big believer in Wagner. Ko being 100% all year is a much bigger concern but Gino and John are awesome depth for guard.

I'm not sold on dumervil going forward. Not sure about Suggs either. Don't know what we have in Hamilton but he seems to be able to pressure the QB when he gets a chance. perhaps he is lacking against the run and is limited as a speed pass rusher at this point but I'd love to see him pan out given the opportunity. he certainly flashes.

I am excited about Williams and Jernigan collapsing the pocket on third down.

To me at this point the question marks are pass rush and being able to run the ball. Feel good about everything else.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I think the foundation for a terrific defense in the future is definitely there. A lot of young blood has been brought in with some great potential, especially the past two drafts. There's still some positions that need addressed for the future, not the present, but it's coming along very well.

 

Basically, how I can see it (with spots that still need addressed

 

 

                                                         Brooks ------- Elam

                                           J. Smith ---------------------------- Webb

                                     ??? --------- Mosley ---------- Brown ----------- ???

                                           Jernigan -------- Williams --------- Urban

 

I really don't see any true game breaking replacements for Suggs and Doom just yet. There's still Upshaw (who I do like) and I see a lot of potential in Simon, but he just hasn't seen the field enough yet. I feel good in Brandon Williams and Brent Urban's potential. If they pan out like I hope/think they do/will, I'll be happy.

[RaineV1]

I'm not too worried about the Ravens finding OLBs. The Ravens historically have excelled in finding very talented linebackers and d-linemen. I'm sure they'll get someone to fill in the hole left behind by the older OLBs on the team.

[Underdogsontop!]

I'm looking forward to see how Kapron Lewis-Moore fits in too.

Me too! I wonder what round he would have went in if he wasn't hurt?

[Yatagarasu]

I think the foundation for a terrific defense in the future is definitely there. A lot of young blood has been brought in with some great potential, especially the past two drafts. There's still some positions that need addressed for the future, not the present, but it's coming along very well.

 

Basically, how I can see it (with spots that still need addressed

 

 

                                                         Brooks ------- Elam

                                           J. Smith ---------------------------- Webb

                                     ??? --------- Mosley ---------- Brown ----------- ???

                                           Jernigan -------- Williams --------- Urban

 

I really don't see any true game breaking replacements for Suggs and Doom just yet. There's still Upshaw (who I do like) and I see a lot of potential in Simon, but he just hasn't seen the field enough yet. I feel good in Brandon Williams and Brent Urban's potential. If they pan out like I hope/think they do/will, I'll be happy.

 

Even though I know we have Upshaw and Simon as our OLB for the future, I think Ozzie is going to draft a pass rusher in the near future. Wouldn't be surprised if it is next year's draft.

[Gordo52]

I think the foundation for a terrific defense in the future is definitely there. A lot of young blood has been brought in with some great potential, especially the past two drafts. There's still some positions that need addressed for the future, not the present, but it's coming along very well.

Basically, how I can see it (with spots that still need addressed

Brooks ------- Elam

J. Smith ---------------------------- Webb

??? --------- Mosley ---------- Brown ----------- ???

Jernigan -------- Williams --------- Urban

I really don't see any true game breaking replacements for Suggs and Doom just yet. There's still Upshaw (who I do like) and I see a lot of potential in Simon, but he just hasn't seen the field enough yet. I feel good in Brandon Williams and Brent Urban's potential. If they pan out like I hope/think they do/will, I'll be happy.

You forgot about poor ol' DeAngelo Tyson....We also don't know what we have in Lewis-Moore yet.

A lot of upside on this side of the ball!

[Sami84]

guys. Most draft picks dont end up being starters. expect FA's and only perhaps top picks ( round 1 and 2) to have any kind of long term potential. Just because you draft guys doesnt mean they end up having a role in the team thats worth discussing. chances are only 2-3 players in this draft and perhaps even less in the previous draft will have any kind of future with this team.

 

I for one dont see brandon Williams in the same light as some of you guys. I think hes probably out of the league in a few years.

[52520Andrew]

guys. Most draft picks dont end up being starters. expect FA's and only perhaps top picks ( round 1 and 2) to have any kind of long term potential. Just because you draft guys doesnt mean they end up having a role in the team thats worth discussing. chances are only 2-3 players in this draft and perhaps even less in the previous draft will have any kind of future with this team.

 

I for one dont see brandon Williams in the same light as some of you guys. I think hes probably out of the league in a few years.

 

And why do you think that on Williams?

[Sami84]

And why do you think that on Williams?

 

He seems a bit clumsy and doesnt actualy use his hands well. For all his strength his mechanics negate it. He often was flat on his stomach due to poor footwork and hands.

 

He is the typical bust. Power but no technique or skills

[Inqui]

He seems a bit clumsy and doesnt actualy use his hands well. For all his strength his mechanics negate it. He often was flat on his stomach due to poor footwork and hands.

 

He is the typical bust. Power but no technique or skills

He was at a small school so he didn't have the same kind of coaching the bigger-school SEC guys got (for all the criticism the Alabama guys get, they do tend to be pretty well-drilled) and he's just coming off his rookie season. It might pay to give him a couple of years yet before proclaiming him a bust.

[BloodRaven]

We could be a dominant defense again, but these young guys are still unproven.

[52520Andrew]

He seems a bit clumsy and doesnt actualy use his hands well. For all his strength his mechanics negate it. He often was flat on his stomach due to poor footwork and hands.

 

He is the typical bust. Power but no technique or skills

 

Technique is something that can be coached however and our D-line coaches have done a good job of developing players in the past. We will just have to see as we go along but I think he could do well for us

[Underdogsontop!]

I want to see this defense in action already!

[Gordo52]

Pretty good breakdown on our DL.

http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/baltimore-ravens/ravens-options-deep-defensive-line-group-2014/

Really excited to see how the improvement benefits our LB's.

[Purple Nurple]

Nice write up

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

2 players for us that are still kind of flying under the radar are kapron Lewis-Moore and John Simon.

KLM would have been one of the top dline guys in that draft if not for his injury and simon could be our unheralded, do it all kind of guy. His motor is unreal. Simon I don't see being any more than a role player but with all the talent we have those are the kind of guys we need to put us over the top.

And I can see KLM being a big time player for us this year or next. If we hit on Smith, Elam, Brooks, Brown, Mosley, Simon, Upshaw, KLM, Williams, and Jernigan and even 6 or 7 of them reach full potential were going to have a real nasty and dominant defense.

If those guys can accelerate the learning curve and really be an impact now while we still have Daryl, Suggs, doom, ngata, Webb, canty capable of producing at high levels we are going to be a real serious force.

The best part is I don't even think it's a long shot for it to happen and we are being completely overlooked when it comes to the conversations about top d's in the league. If not this year, by next year were gonna be crazy good with a nucleus of 10 players still on rookie contracts.

That'll give us plenty of time to build the offense while that D keeps us competing for titles. That's the plan and it always has been.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I don't agree with one bit that "only top picks have any kind of long term potential". Remember, even top round picks bust, and late round picks can shine. Marques Colston was a 7th rounder. Tom Brady was a 6th. Adalius Thomas was a 6th. Brett Keisel was a 7th. Michael Turner was a 5th. Hell, Wes Welker and Antonio Gates went undrafted. 

 

Sure, that's just a small sample size, but it's just a point that the rounds don't matter, talent and exposure do. Even if you were referring just to this year's draft, I still wouldn't agree. Brooks could be a long term star at free safety for us, Urschel could be a future starter/solid long term depth, and Campanaro could truly shine in a year or two.

 

Oh....and Webb was a third round pick... from a small school. Brandon Williams didn't exactly a lot of playtime, only seeing 7 games, but he still came away with a sack. Dude is a high character guy, has the physical tools, and wants to be better. He'll turn out well for us.

[BMORElegacy]

The scouts pretty much said they took Brent Urban because he is a perfect 3-4 fit. Why would we draft him if we were switching to a 4-3? 

Pees also coaches a 3-4 - he and our position coaches would be lost if we suddenly changed to a 4-3. You're right - it's not gonna happen. But there will always be mixed formations anyway.

 

We have young players on this D that have yet to contribute or hit their potential. John Simon has not been mentioned yet. Adrian Hamilton could still be a surprise 3rd down pass rusher (or not make the team).

We run more of a hybrid defense anyway. Spags is the 4-3 expert. I'm sure they'll install a personnel package if the need arises to have a 4-3 on the field. 

[ravensnick]

Me too! I wonder what round he would have went in if he wasn't hurt?

Prolly 2nd/3rd

[ravensnick]

He seems a bit clumsy and doesnt actualy use his hands well. For all his strength his mechanics negate it. He often was flat on his stomach due to poor footwork and hands.

 

He is the typical bust. Power but no technique or skills

he was decent during that Steelers game.

[JoeyFlex5]

The past few drafts Ozzie has really been focusing on building a dominant defense to come. i am starting to see it mold together. in a couple seasons this defensive is going to wreak havoc.

 

 a dominant front 7 in the making. jernigan will end up being an upgrade of jones in a yr or so. brandon williams will be a kelly gregg like NT and if Urban can develop like he should he could be a monster but im not going to get my hopes up for him yet. Upshaw continues to improve and will eventually need a elite pass rusher opposite of him as suggs and doom fade out. brown and mosley will anchor this defense and be one of the elite ilb corps of the league.

 

Secondary be best in years

webb will be ending his prime by this time but will still be a big playmaker. jimmy smith will emerge as the huge talent we all hoped and elam will hopefully mature and be the enforcer of the secondary. FS is another position that may need filing but we will see how ozzie's pick this year turns out in brookes. ozzie may have found a gem, but im not sold yet so we will see.

 

im very excited to see this young defense develop. so many intriguing pieces.

brooks doesn't exactly look like a question mark. he looks like a day 1 starter who will be great in coverage and consistently break up passes or just end up one of those guys who force qb's to not even look his way.

[AwakenTheDemon]

brooks doesn't exactly look like a question mark. he looks like a day 1 starter who will be great in coverage and consistently break up passes or just end up one of those guys who force qb's to not even look his way.

 

I agree with most of what you've said.

 

He's my favorite pick in the draft this year, and is definitely a day one starter in my opinion. But I think it may be a bit early to say he could be someone who shuts down a side of the field. He has that potential though, with his speed and coverage ability. If he works on pulling down those passes that he gets to, he could be a huge playmaker.

 

Ozzie and co. said they wanted a center field safety with range, and that's exactly what Brooks is. I can definitely see Elam and Brooks being our next Landry and Reed. No, I don't think Brooks will be as good as Reed (no one will be), but I do think he'll be the coverage, playmaking safety type that Reed was, while Elam will be that tenacious, hard hitting, enforcer next to him. Honestly, I think Elam will surpass Landry, as I believe Dawan benefitted from having Ed next to him, and the chemistry those two had in the backfield. 

 

Yeah... I'm excited for the future of our safeties... hell of our defensive backfield in general. Webb, Smith, Brooks, and Elam. I like it.

[JoeyFlex5]

I agree with most of what you've said.

 

He's my favorite pick in the draft this year, and is definitely a day one starter in my opinion. But I think it may be a bit early to say he could be someone who shuts down a side of the field. He has that potential though, with his speed and coverage ability. If he works on pulling down those passes that he gets to, he could be a huge playmaker.

 

Ozzie and co. said they wanted a center field safety with range, and that's exactly what Brooks is. I can definitely see Elam and Brooks being our next Landry and Reed. No, I don't think Brooks will be as good as Reed (no one will be), but I do think he'll be the coverage, playmaking safety type that Reed was, while Elam will be that tenacious, hard hitting, enforcer next to him. Honestly, I think Elam will surpass Landry, as I believe Dawan benefitted from having Ed next to him, and the chemistry those two had in the backfield. 

 

Yeah... I'm excited for the future of our safeties... hell of our defensive backfield in general. Webb, Smith, Brooks, and Elam. I like it.

elam is lightyears beyond landry ever was, if elam is playing SS he will be one of the best in the league, he is a homing missile in the box.

 

not saying brooks is gonna shut down a large  portion of the field, but i think hes gonna develop a reputation at some point and make qb's want to throw as far away from him as possible, his closing speed and instincts will certainly catch the smart qb's eyes and they will do their best to stay the hell away from him lol, but yes he certainly does need to find a way to turn his coverage skills into big plays instead of just incompletions. if he had better hands and held on to most of the INT's he dropped in college, hes a first rounder, at worst early 2nd rounder.

[ravensnick]

elam is lightyears beyond landry ever was, if elam is playing SS he will be one of the best in the league, he is a homing missile in the box.

 

not saying brooks is gonna shut down a large  portion of the field, but i think hes gonna develop a reputation at some point and make qb's want to throw as far away from him as possible, his closing speed and instincts will certainly catch the smart qb's eyes and they will do their best to stay the hell away from him lol, but yes he certainly does need to find a way to turn his coverage skills into big plays instead of just incompletions. if he had better hands and held on to most of the INT's he dropped in college, hes a first rounder, at worst early 2nd rounder.

He only had one year of experience at safety in college, that was the other thing that dropped him. I don't even know where opposing QB can throw on this secondary in 2-3 years once Brooks and Elam fully develop.

[redrum52]

I think the foundation for a terrific defense in the future is definitely there. A lot of young blood has been brought in with some great potential, especially the past two drafts. There's still some positions that need addressed for the future, not the present, but it's coming along very well.

Basically, how I can see it (with spots that still need addressed

Brooks ------- Elam

J. Smith ---------------------------- Webb

??? --------- Mosley ---------- Brown ----------- ???

Jernigan -------- Williams --------- Urban

I really don't see any true game breaking replacements for Suggs and Doom just yet. There's still Upshaw (who I do like) and I see a lot of potential in Simon, but he just hasn't seen the field enough yet. I feel good in Brandon Williams and Brent Urban's potential. If they pan out like I hope/think they do/will, I'll be happy.

Don't sleep on KLM. He can be a beast on our d line. If not for the injury he was suppose to go a lot higher.

[GrimCoconut]

If Brooks realizes his potential and becomes a legitimate ball hawk, which he can be, then we'll have an elite secondary if we keep Jimmy. This could be something special. The question is whether he can realize it. I really like Brooks and I hope he can realize his potential because we really need a ball hawk back there. I think he has the potential. He's always in good position for the ball it's securing it that seems to be his issue. Hopefully we can develop him to capitalize. I wish Austin was still here.